Mahale is located in the Western Tanzania to the South of Kigoma town, it is bordering Lake Tanganyika-the World’s longest, second deepest and least polluted freshwater lake-harbouring an estimated 1000 fish species.

The park is famous among visitors because of holding an abundant number of chimpanzees. In addition to chimpanzee, Mahale is heaven for other primates. The beauty of the park includes rivers and waterfalls and white sandy beached around the shoreline of the Lake.

The wild adventure leads through the misty forests. During these walks hikers also have the chance to spot other animals such as roan and sable antelope, warthog mongoose, and sometimes even lion and leopard. Crocodiles are also known to live in the park but rare.

Here you can also spot Tanzania's densest population of primates like red colobus, yellow baboon, red-tailed monkeys and vervet monkeys. Hippos can also be witnessed in Lake Tanganyika, swimming in the crystal clear waters

Home to almost 355 species of birds, the park is also famous as birders paradise. On the sandy beaches of the Lakeshore visitors can spot pelicans and different storks as well as malachite kingfishers, pied king fishers, fish eagles Livingston’s turacos, narina trogons, crested guinea fowls and blue cheeked bee and many more colourful birds

The lake also harbors over 250 endemic fish species. You can also get the chance of snorkelling in the shallow waters of the Lake and swim with the multi-colored fishes.

Wildlife Highlights

Chimpanzees and other primates such as red colobus, yellow baboon, red-tailed monkeys and vervet monkeys. In addition to primates, roan and sable antelope, mongoose, warthog, hippos and sometimes even lion and leopard. Some of the noted birds are malachite kingfishers, pied king fishers, fish eagles Livingston’s turacos, narina trogons.

Getting to Mahale Mountains National Park

The park can be accessed throughout the year by road, water and air. Road: From Kigoma town the park can be accessed by road 128km (5hrs drive) south, the road running south-east of Lake Tanganyika shore Air: Using charted flight (Zantas air, Coastal aviation, Air Excel and safari air link) from all major cities and towns Water: Also can be reached by ship (9-10hrs cruise) via Lake Tanganyika to Lagosa point and then by using boat with 30 minutes cruise to the park. Also there is a public transport at Rukoma village or Mgambo village where you can hire a local boat or arrange with park for boat pick up, or public transport to Park Headquarter. .

Distance from Arusha: to Kigoma it is roughly 1,020 km (633 miles)

Best Time to Visit Mahale National Park

May to October is considered the best season to visit the park. Chimpanzees can be spotted in groups, the lake illuminates in the rays of the sun so the colourful fishes
November to April is the Wet Season. During this time the waterfalls are in full flow and birding is at its peak. Colorful migratory birds can be easily seen in an abundant number.

However, Mahale can be accessible all round the year